NORWICH – The Chenango Blues Association is excited to announce a $20,000 increase in support from NBT Bank that will allow the Association to expand its free weekly concert series to include all Thursdays in July and August.

This builds on last year’s well received expansion and makes downtown Norwich a music destination for all of Central New York.

Said Chenango Blues Association Performance Committee member A.J. Oliver: “We really appreciate NBT’s support because adding more shows allows us to bring even more diversity to our line-up, and it makes it easier to promote the concerts both locally and regionally.”

The series will kick off Thursday, July 7, with a community block party featuring perennial country rock favorites The New Riders of the Purple Sage. The band’s annual show in Norwich draws fans from throughout upstate New York. And, as if free music wasn’t enough, free hot dogs and hamburgers will be served by the Rotary Club. Also, free ice cream from Gilligan’s will be served by the Norwich Cheer Team, and free maple sugar cotton candy from Baker’s Maple Syrup will be available. Food servings begin at 6:30 p.m. and be dished out until supplies are gone, so plan to get there early and enjoy a great evening in the park with family and friends.